The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7478 p571
17 November 2007

Society summary

National pharmacy boards reports

SPB urges ministers to use Scotland's pharmacists more

Rose Marie Parr, chairman of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Scottish Pharmacy Board, has written to Nicola Sturgeon MSP, the Scottish Government’s Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing, urging ministers to make more use of Scotland’s pharmacists.

Dr Parr’s letter was in response to the Scottish Government’s “Better health, better care” consultation published earlier this year (PJ, 25 August 2007, p200).

In its response to the consultation, the SPB make a series of recommendations, which, it says, are designed to achieve the best possible use of the expertise of Scotland’s pharmacists as part of the Scottish Government’s plans for reforming the health service:

Prescription charges The SPB agrees with ministers that the current system of prescription charges is anomalous and inequitable and encourages ministers to ensure that cost and affordability are not barriers for patients in accessing the medicines they need.

Greater range of walk-in services Pharmacists already provide a range of health care services to the public without an appointment, including advice and support on issues like sexual health and smoking cessation. The SPB asks that ministers look at ways of developing this flexible provision.

Confidential access to medication records Hospital pharmacists already draw on patient records to ensure that prescribed medicines are appropriate. The SPB recommends that access to medication records be extended to community pharmacists, who could provide a better service to patients with this additional information.

Confidentiality would be ensured by the requirements of the Society’s Code of Ethics.

Tackling health inequalities The fact that Scotland’s pharmacies are local, accessible and convenient means that additional opportunities can bring real health improvements. Already, 99 per cent of Scots can reach a pharmacy within 20 minutes by car, by foot or by public transport. In hard-to-reach areas and areas with the worst health indicators, pharmacy can help.

The best possible start Greater involvement of pharmacies in child health promotion programmes can bring real benefits from the start. The SPB says that Scotland’s pharmacists can offer advice to expectant mothers on health, nutrition and lifestyle matters, and provide guidance on breastfeeding and other measures which can improve children’s health.

Dr Parr said: “Scotland’s pharmacists know they have more to offer, especially when it comes to tackling health inequalities and giving support to people with long-term medical conditions.

“Pharmacies provide efficient and responsive services in the heart of this country’s most disadvantaged communities, and there are many opportunities for the Scottish Government to expand and enhance this provision.

“As the professional leadership body for pharmacists in Scotland, the SPB believes a shift in the balance of care into those communities can bring health benefits while also reducing the pressure on both hospitals and GPs.

“We look forward to working with Scottish ministers as they review health care delivery, and are hopeful that they will progress the ideas we’ve set out today.”

The full consultation response from the Scottish Pharmacy Board can be viewed at the board’s pages on the Society’s website.